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on Tuesday, July 9th, 2002 at 11:51 AM and is filed under News, Space.
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If we had an energy source to move such objects wouldn't we be able to build infrastructure and colonies proximate to the asteroids? To transfer large astronomical objects into Earth orbit would require large amounts of energy – yes or no? Why wouldn't we transfer energy and resources from distant sources into pure useful material at those sources? This would be peferable than processing more materials on Earth's surface or in Earth orbit. We could avoid the worst follies from our industrial past from continuing close to Earth and ensure that any uncertainty and negative consequences on the bio-geochemical processes vital for human survival are not threatened.

Situating the site where production of toxic waste materials away from society eg. on the surface of other useful celestial bodies would be more sensible. Global ecological viability would not be threatened if polluting industrial activity occurs outside of Earth's delicate biosphere, and more generally anywhere near the planet.

I'd like to see space elevators creating new places to reside in and visit while keeping industrial activity with its uncertainty distant. I want Earth orbit to be a place of serenity where people can look back on Earth and watch its natural beauty florish. Hopefully nanotechnology will be able to create an infrastructure in which people are more wisely able to manage energy. My suspicion is that by about 2024 we will have made the technological development to create space elevators and that shortly after they will be successfully used. Think backwards 22 years (we had no or few cds, microwaves, email, mobile phones, etc) and your feelings about space elevators may be realised.

Tidal effects shouldn't really be a concern, but if they are, why not keep the asteroids in a moon orbit? The moon isn't that far away, it's a good place to set up an industrial complex, and if we were to cover the sun-side of it with solar cells it could produce a significant amount of electricity — enough to automate the entire process, methinks.

The tides are getting lower anyway, as the moon recedes. An increasing mass at the upper anchor point (hauled in from above to balance the mass being raised from Earth) would slow the rate of tidal change – a net benefit!
However, sweeping a (probably) conductive cable perpendicular to the Earth's magnetic field will induce an electrical current. That power must come at the expense of the depletion of the magnetic field and/or Van Allen belt plasmas. This will obviously lead to an increase in harmful rays and the collapse of the Earth into a blackhead.